Congress leader Rahul Gandhi landed at Berlin airport on Wednesday to commence a six-day visit to Germany, organized under the aegis of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC).
Accompanied by IOC chairperson Sam Pitroda, Gandhi, who serves as the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, will engage in a series of diplomatic and community events aimed at reinforcing connections with the global Indian diaspora and highlighting India’s democratic and economic landscape internationally.
The visit’s highlight is a major interaction with the Indian diaspora scheduled for December 17 in Berlin, expected to unite IOC presidents from across Europe.
Vikram Duhan, General Secretary of IOC UK, emphasized the visit’s significance, stating it will provide a valuable platform for dialogue on India’s global role and foster the exchange of ideas and opportunities with German legislators.
In addition to diaspora engagement, Gandhi will hold discussions with senior German government ministers and legislators. These meetings will focus on shared democratic values, enhancing economic cooperation, and addressing social priorities, according to party sources.
The Congress describes the tour as a “strategic outreach” initiative designed to build international support.
However, the visit has sparked political controversy at home, as it coincides with the concluding week of the winter session of Parliament, ending on December 19. The BJP criticized the timing, with spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla dubbing Gandhi the “Leader of Paryatan” (leader of tourism).
Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Gaurav Gogoi, defended the trip, asserting that the leader of Opposition is fulfilling important international responsibilities and pointed out that Gandhi’s parliamentary interventions have challenged the ruling party effectively.
The Germany visit follows Gandhi’s recent outreach efforts in the United States, United Kingdom, and Southeast Asia. By engaging with diaspora communities and European lawmakers, the Congress aims to broaden its ideological influence abroad and address Non-Resident Indians’ concerns about India’s political environment.
During his trip, Gandhi shared on social media his visit to BMW Welt and the BMW Plant in Munich, describing it as an “incredible look at world-class manufacturing.” He highlighted the TVS 450cc motorcycle, developed in partnership with BMW, as a proud example of Indian engineering.
Gandhi underscored the importance of manufacturing for economic strength, lamenting its decline in India and calling for the creation of robust manufacturing ecosystems to accelerate growth and generate quality jobs at scale.
The visit is expected to deepen diplomatic ties, galvanize diaspora support, and spotlight India’s evolving role on the global stage amid ongoing domestic political debates.
